Standards Based System (SBS)
Instead of measuring “seat time” in the classroom and promoting students from grade to grade regardless of their skills, LPSD students move through a set of standards at their own pace. Teachers continuously monitor student progress, encourage, and teach. Student performance, not a grade or the time spent in class, is the measure of academic achievement.
Students work through the levels of our standards in:
- Reading
- Writing
- Math
- Science
- Social Studies
- Cultural Awareness
- Technology
- Employability
Students are leveled in each content area and receive instruction at their actual ability level rather than age, and must demonstrate 80% proficiency on each assessment to advance from one level to the next.
Read more in the LPSD SBS Booklet.
Reporting Student Progress
LPSD uses these terms to describe a student’s progress toward meeting standards:
| Level | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Advanced | Scoring 90-100% on classroom assignments and projects; assignments complete and on time |
| Proficient | Scoring 80-89% on classroom assignments and projects; assignments complete and on time |
| Developing | Scoring below 80% and making steady progress toward 80% proficiency; assignments complete and on time |
| Emerging | Scoring below 80% and not making progress toward 80% proficiency; assignments incomplete and/or late |
Moving at Their Own Pace
Students often meet district graduation levels in a staggered way. A student may finish the math graduation level as a sophomore but not reach the reading graduation level until the end of senior year. Students who meet requirements early in any area can take advanced distance or college courses paid for by the district. It’s not uncommon for a senior to be completing two or three LPSD levels while taking two or three college courses.
Because time is not a factor in student success, a student can finish their standards and graduate at any point. Most graduations are in May, but ceremonies happen throughout the year as students finish their requirements. See Graduation.
Small Classes, Many Levels
Class sizes are small, but teachers may have students at many different levels. An elementary math class may have only seven students, spread across two or three math levels and moving at different paces. Differentiated instruction, thematic units, and Personal Education Plans help teachers meet each child’s needs.
Programs
- Special Education
- Indian Education
- Migrant Education
- Career & Technical Education (CTE)
- Experiencing Out
Contact
For questions about academics, contact Moon McCarley, Curriculum and Assessment Director, at (907) 294-2210, or the district office at (907) 313-3841.